Align Technology, Inc.

Anthony W Morefield

Rick M Matty

Devin K Webb

Chunhua Li

Jennifer C Chen

Li-Hung Su

Methods of forming dental tooth positioning appliances. Methods may include identifying a portion of a first digital model corresponding to a portion of the dentition for chemical treatment. Methods may also include forming a second digital model with a scaled up cavity by scaling up a size of a tooth of the first digital model. Methods may further include forming a polymeric shell including a scaled up cavity having dimensions that are proportional to a corresponding surface of the second digital model. The polymeric shell may further include one or more spacers that protrude from an inner surface of the scaled up cavity. The spacer(s) may be arranged to maintain a uniform space between the polymeric shell and the portion of the dentition identified for chemical treatment, and for holding a chemical for treating the identified portion of the dentition.

Methods of forming dental tooth positioning appliances

Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a shell having a number of cavities to receive one or more teeth, each cavity having an inner surface. Fewer than all cavities are scaled-up in size by a first selected percentage over one or more dimensions of a corresponding tooth surface to provide a uniform space between the cavity inner surface and the corresponding tooth surface.

Dental appliance

Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a shell having a number of cavities to receive one or more teeth, each cavity having an inner surface. At least a first portion of a particular cavity is scaled-up in size by a first selected percentage over one or more dimensions of a corresponding tooth to provide a first space between the cavity inner surface and the corresponding tooth surface. At least a second portion of the particular cavity is scaled-up in size by a second scaled-up percentage over one or more dimensions of a corresponding gingival outer surface adjacent to the corresponding tooth to provide a second shape.

The present disclosure includes method, system, apparatus, and indicator embodiments. For example, one system for monitoring orthodontic treatment includes an appliance for placement over one or more teeth and multiple wear indicators including at least a first wear indicator having a first wear rate and a second wear indicator that has a second wear rate that is different from the first.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Anthony W Morefield